Concert review: Tedeschi Trucks Band at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville
As some of you know, my partner Heather Taylor unexpectedly lost her musician father Charlie just before Christmas. It’s been a tough few months, especially in the lead-up to his memorial concert outside of Washington, D.C., on March 24.
We both knew she would be physically and emotionally drained after that experience, but through it all, she held fast to our plans for March 25: seeing Tedeschi Trucks Band at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville.
The group is one of her favorites, and Susan Tedeschi in particular has made a significant impact on Heather’s own career as a singer/songwriter and vocalist. She wouldn’t have mustered the strength to see any old band after such a whirlwind trip, but TTB was worth the effort — and didn’t disappoint.
Their soulful rock music acted like a balm from the opening notes of “Hear My Dear,” with Tedeschi’s voice doing the trick for Heather, and Derek Trucks’ impossibly smooth guitar solos setting my mind ablaze. Surrounding the eponymous band leaders was one of the most sonically balanced ensembles in the biz, and though rhythm guitar never seemed to squeeze through the sound mix, the rest of the instrumentation in the 12-piece group came through in consciously layered waves.
It was also a thoroughly democratic presentation of talent as background singers Mike Mattison, Mark Rivers, and Alecia Chakour each got a chance to shine — making one want to see every one of them front their own bands while not on tour with TTB — as did practically every instrumentalist.
Kebbi Williams energetically bopped in place when his saxophone was featured, as if prepping to blast into outer space, and Elizabeth Lea earned raucous cheers for her plunger-mute trombone solo on “Ain't That Something,” on which keyboardist Gabe Dixon confidently took the vocal lead. But it was drummers Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell and Isaac Eady going head-to-head on an elaborate, extended duet at the end of “Pasaquan” — an instrumental track that already saw Trucks and and the rhythm section in top form — that truly stole the show.
Backed by beautiful lunar imagery in conjunction with TTB’s 2022 album, I Am the Moon, the band was likewise a consistent visual delight with a variety of ensemble permutations keeping things on stage far from static throughout the two energetic sets. Meanwhile, the seats on the arena floor were a nice touch that allowed for a respite when desired and would be welcome on a more regular basis.
Though Ephraim Owens (trumpet) and Brandon Boone (bass) could have been more prominently featured, their crucial roles in the overall sound were palpable, notably in the handful of moments when Trucks guided the ensemble’s volume down to a (relative) whisper, only to crescendo back to full party mode.
That skillful command continued through the encore, which kicked off with TTB’s fan-favorite medley of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” and The Grateful Dead’s “Sugaree,” and finished with the instant party known as Joe Tex’s “Show Me.”
It was just what we needed.
(Photos by Bryce Lafoon)
